The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer widely used in rocketry and guidance, and still the best — but MEMS-based devices are getting closer. The previous parts looked at the principle and operation of the PIGA. This part looks briefly at its history and refinement and the MEMS-based versions of the PIGA being developed and used […]
FAQ
PIGAs can indeed fly — and are still the best, Part 2: operation
The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer and widely used in rocketry and guidance, and still the best — but MEMS-based devices are getting closer. At the core of each single-axis PIGA is a gyroscope. The performance of this gyro — unrelated to the orientation gyros — plays a large role in determining the performance of […]
PIGAs can indeed fly — and are still the best, Part 1: frame of reference
The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer, is widely used in rocketry and guidance, and is still the best — but MEMS-based devices are getting closer. When you see an inexpensive drone, a more sophisticated one, an unmanned aircraft, a standard piloted aircraft, guided or intercontinental ballistic missile ICBM), an underwater drone or submarine, or a […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 1
When Willis Carrier designed a system of fans, ducts and perforated pipes, which became the first modern electric air conditioner (AC) in 1902 (120 years ago), sensing was not part of the bill of materials. Devon Brock, Manager of Product Knowledge and Training, Sensors Group at TE Connectivity provides some insight into subsequent AC systems. […]
What are the varieties of electromechanical on/off switches?
Despite wide use of “soft” on/off switching, the traditional electromechanical switch is still often required or preferred and is available in countless versions. Let’s look at some available switch styles. 1) The knife switch It doesn’t get simpler than the knife switch. The first and simplest switch is the knife switch (Figure 1). This style […]
What are the parameters of electromechanical of/off switches?
Despite wide use of “soft” on/off switching, the traditional electromechanical switch is still often required or preferred and is available in countless versions. As with all components, there are some top-tier parameters as well as many secondary ones, and some of those secondary ones may be very important in a specific application. As expected, the […]
What are the symbols for electromechanical on/off switches?
Despite wide use of “soft” on/off switching, the traditional electromechanical switch is still often required or preferred and is available in countless versions. Switches are represented by their schematic diagram symbols, which correspond to the number and arrangement of their contacts. Schematic symbols tell part of the story In an electromechanical hardwired on/off switch, the […]
What is the role of electromechanical on/off switches?
Despite wide use of “soft” on/off switching, the traditional electromechanical switch is still often required or preferred and is available in countless versions. Switches are an integral, very necessary part of most electronic products. They have two broad roles: As power switches which, as their name indicates, cut the flow of power from the source, […]
What is sensor fusion?
by Charles Pao, senior marketing specialist, CEVA Motion sensing devices are all around us and in several of the electronics that we use daily. Motion sensors are in earbuds – noticing taps to change songs or pausing music when we take them out of our ears. They’re used for head tracking in virtual reality (VR) […]
Creating unique devices with haptic touch technology
By Nedko Ivanov, Aito Consumer technology products are becoming increasingly difficult for designers and manufacturers to differentiate. Laptops, in particular, are all of a similar size and shape and offer the same functionality. Clamshell laptops typically combine the same three features – a display, a keyboard, and a touchpad – with few aspects that distinguish […]
